Thursday, October 16, 2014

It's World Food Day: Let's celebrate our Jamaican farmers

This year World Food Day is being celebrated under the theme: Family Farmers: Feeding the World, Caring for the Earth and so appropriate too right? as this theme plays up the dual role of farmers as providers and protectors of the Earth's Natural Resources. The theme also ties in with the United Nations' declaration of 2014 as the International Year of Family Farmers (IYFF) as the Organization especially through its Food and Agriculture arm aims to raise awareness around the challenges that are faced by family farmers, even as they contribute so much to feeding several nations.

Wow, Imagine where we'd be without our many farmers? and I say this as I gleefully chow down on a slightly ripened, mostly green june plum that has been peeled and rubbed in just the right amount of salt! Than you my farmers!!

On a more significant note though, United Nations statistics show that well over 576 million farms in the world of which over 500 million are family owned. These family farmers are responsible for over 56% of agricultural production. (Let's raise a salute to our foodie heroes). The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Infographic below also gives some pretty impressive data . Just check out the percentage of family farmers in North and Central America!!

But who are Family Farmers really?
According to the United Nations FAO Jamaica Representation, Family Farmers are often referred to as small or subsistence farmers who do small scale production of crops, livestock, forestry, fishery and aquacultureand have the following features:

Produce small quantities using limited resources

Limited access to land, capital resources and services

Predominant use of family labour

Farm or fishing activity is main source of family income

Sounds like a whole lot of challenges to contend with, all for the love of feeding the world right?

In Jamaica alone, there there are an estimated 228,683 farmers with 78.7% (or 179,999) of them producing on under 1 hectare or 2.5 acres. At the end of 2013, there were 23, 323 registered fishers and 6300 registered boats An impressive feat really given the many challenges our farmers face.

So the next time you enjoy that delectable bite of steamed fish with crackers and okra or a tall order of carrot-beetroot juice or even a creamy serving of Ice cream, remember our many farmers and how their challenges and outcomes help to feed us day by day.

Have you lifted a hat off as yet? I have!!! So use this World Food Day to focus on those behind much of what is delivered from farm to fork ...Indeed our often Silent Heroes.

While you're at it, you can join the World Food Day Celebrations by viewing and sharing the brief World Food Day Video which puts into perspective the very important role of our farmers!!